Publishing Briefs: UMPG Signs Geese, Plus J Hus Flies With Concord

Universal Music Publishing Group signed Geese to a worldwide publishing deal. The agreement with the New York City rock band, fronted by singer/songwriter Cameron Winter, was announced by the company via Instagram, just ahead of the release of its third album, Getting Killed, on Sept. 26. The deal was led by head of U.S. A&R Jennifer Knoepfl and director of A&R Deeba Abrishamchi. It also encompasses Winter’s acclaimed solo work.

Concord Music Publishing signed British rapper J Hus to a global publishing deal covering all future works, following his sold-out Royal Albert Hall show and recent single “Gold” with Asake. Widely credited with creating the U.K.’s Afro-swing sound, J Hus has earned two UK Albums Chart No. 1s with Big Conspiracy (2020) and Beautiful and Brutal Yard (2023), featuring artists like Burna Boy and Drake. Concord will manage his future copyrights worldwide, with A&R manager Patrick Lubega overseeing the catalog. The deal reflects Concord’s commitment to culturally significant artists, with executive vp Kim Frankiewicz calling J Hus “a once-in-a-generation artist” whose “storytelling resonates far beyond the UK.”

Sony Music Publishing MENA (SMP MENA) inked a global publishing administration agreement with Cafe De Anatolia, a Macedonian indie label and brand that has built its name on “organic house” — a subgenre of house music that blends acoustic instrumentation with natural soundscapes. Founded in 2017 by Monika Ilieva, Nikola Iliev and Zoran Iliev, Cafe De Anatolia says it represents more than 4,000 artists and manages more than 50 sub-brands, adding that its new partnership with SMP MENA is aimed at connecting regional songwriters to global audiences. SMP MENA MD Dounia Chaaban praised the collaboration as “rooted in our shared vision of building cultural bridges through music and connecting regional songwriters with global audiences.”

1916 and Dream Room Publishing teamed up on a new joint venture and signed rising songwriter and vocalist Jack Samson to the partnership. To date, Samson’s resume includes four cuts on Jackson Wang’s Magic Man album, NCT 127’s “Time Capsule,” Keshi’s “Euphoria” and more. “With a shared mission to amplify next-generation talent on a global stage, 1916 and Dream Room proudly welcome Jack Samson to the roster,” a press release about the deal reads.

Concord Music Publishing signed singer/songwriter RYMAN to a global co-publishing agreement that includes RYMAN’s partial catalog and future works. Combining alternative, singer-songwriter and pop music, the 21-year-old Nashville native also recently aligned with Mom + Pop as his record label. Concord Music Publishing A&R manager Lily Bunta says RYMAN has “exceptional talent as both a songwriter and artist” and is a “dynamic creative voice” on the company’s roster. This summer, RYMAN will open for Ben Kweller on his national tour, then return to the road to support Joshua Slone this fall.

Bucks Music Group and Mushroom Music signed Oscar Dawson to an exclusive joint venture publishing deal. Dawson, best known as one half of Holy Holy, which has put out five acclaimed albums, has also built a strong reputation as a producer and engineer for artists such as Amy Shark, Alex Lahey and Teen Jesus & the Jean Teasers. “We’ve long admired Oscar as an artist, writer, and producer here at Mushroom, and we’re thrilled to be working with him on this next chapter of his career,” said Mushroom Music senior director of A&R Erol Yurdagul.

Riser House signed producer-writer Jake Mitchell to an exclusive songwriting deal. Mitchell is known for his work on songs including “One Beer” (recorded by HARDY, Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson), “Some Girls” (Jameson Rodgers), “Beer Don’t” (Morgan Wallen) and “Unapologetically Country As Hell” (HARDY). Riser House’s publishing roster also includes Mitchell Tenpenny, Dillon Carmichael, Dallas Wilson and Michael Whitworth.